The 49ers were practicing as twilight approached and I left their facility for the ACE Train (which won’t be running to Levi’s Stadium for Saturday’s debut soccer game).

That was their walk-through session, which is closed to the media (as are other walk-throughs).

So here’s the report from their 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., fully padded practice:

You may have seen conflicting reports on how the passing game fared today. I was the one who said it wasn’t super sharp, even though Colin Kaepernick was 7-of-10 in 11-on-11 drills. The passing game is more than Kaepernick, folks.

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There was a four-play sequence where Kaepernick couldn’t get off a pass on three snaps. One was because of Aldon Smith‘s camp-long dominance. Two other snaps went awry because wideouts were covered as Kaepernick rolled to his right.

Blaine Gabbert then came in, completed a pass to an uncovered Quinton Patton and kept the ball on the next two snaps after not finding a target.

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I’ve been charting Kaepernick in 11-on-11 drills because I want to see how his reads fare against a complete defense.

After practice, Kaepernick said: ”It’s constant work trying to get better at everything I do and make sure I’m ready to lead this team and that I’m making the right reads, making the right throws when it counts.”

Right reads? Right throws? Yeah, those have been two areas that got harped on last season (see: Dilfer, Trent).

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Michael Crabtree continues to look really, really quick. He seems on a mission to prove he shouldn’t be overlooked by the likes of Anquan Boldin, Stevie Johnson, Brandon Lloyd, etc. That’s not to say he’s disrespectful. He just looks driven.

Offensive play of the day: Crabtree caught a 35-yard touchdown pass against broken coverage — while rookie Jimmie Ward blitzed Kaepernick from the slot — and afterward hucked the ball back toward the line of scrimmage and let out a loud exclamation mark on his 6-pointer.

Crabtree also made a ridiculous catch at the line of scrimmage on a Blaine Gabbert pass that was high and behind Crabtree.

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I’ve had a standing interview request in for Crabtree since camp began. He’s been on a media boycott. The closest we’ve gotten to him: in the buffet line in the team cafeteria after practice — which is off-limits for “Hey, what do you think Richard Sherman would eat here” questions.

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LaMichael James was riding a stationary bike as practice began because of a dislocated elbow (which originally was thought to be his left one but now looks like it was his right).

Anyhow, the 49ers were going to investigate other options as return specialists even if James were healthy, so now it’s easier to scout out the candidates.

This was Ellington’s debut and those are roles I can totally see him fulfill, though Cox sure looks most comfortable on punt returns. Hyde is a likely kickoff returner, but please don’t expose him to injury in the exhibitions at that job.

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Defensive play of the day:Chris Cook made an interception. Good for him. He got shutout in four years with the Vikings.

How much does he want to improve? He spent the month before training camp having friends back home throw him passes. The 49ers coaches work with him on the side on that, and quarterbacks also have been asked to target him to improve his ball skills.

Vic Fangio liked how Cook caught it at its “high point” and said of the play: “That was a nice play by him today. The receiver did not go up and compete with him. I don’t think the receiver thought the ball was being thrown to him. So, it ended up being a little bit easier play than maybe normal. But, the fact remains that he did go up and get it, and caught it and that’s always a good thing.”

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You don’t hear much about Anquan Boldin or Frank Gore, do you? Well these two potential Hall of Famers are going about their business in typical, grinding fashion.

Boldin caught back-to-back Kaepernick passes in the first 11-on-11 drills.

Gore posted an awesome picture (photo credit: 49ers) on Instagram with him literally taking Hyde under his wing.

Chris Borland had an interception. This rookie really has a shot at filling in for NaVorro Bowman or at least pushing Michael Wilhoite for that honor.

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Health watch: Cornerbacks Chris Culliver and Tramaine Brock did not practice but should return in the next day or so from leg injuries, Fangio said. Defensive tackle Ray McDonald also has a leg issue. … James DNP. … Justin Smith and Anthony Davis continue to do individual conditioning together, having had offseason shoulder surgeries. I wonder how often they’ve faced off in practice since Smith is typically on the right side. … Center Marcus Martin (ankle) and linebacker Aaron Lynch (hamstring) have yet to debut in practice. … Lawrence Okoye seemed to be having knee pain after pre-practice stretch.

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#CapCam Update (I’m wearing a different cap each day of camp; I’ve challenged Bowman to keep pace and he has): My choice today was a Pro Football Hall of Fame cap I got during the 49ers’ Ohio layover in 2013. Love the HOF and encourage everyone to watch this weekend’s enshrinement festivities.

Not sure how many caps I’ve got left on the rack, so (new) donations are being accepted before next week’s voyage to Baltimore (drop at our Pleasanton office; 127 Spring St.). Might end up on my Instagram account (@49ersCam), which went over 4,900 followers today.

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Almost forgot, one more impressive play today: Vernon Davis snared a Gabbert catch and earned loud praise from Harbaugh. No hard feeling from an offseason holdout, apparently. … Oh, also, Harbaugh seemed to compliment new running back Alfonso Smith after a catch over the middle.